What energy efficiency ratings mean and why theyre important

Posted January 10, 2017

The cost to heat and cool your home totals more than half of your utility bills. That’s why it’s imperative to search for a system that provides excellent comfort in your Bishop home while still remaining energy efficient. Higher energy efficiency means your system is doing more while using less energy. Whether you are considering a replacement air conditioner or furnace or looking to upgrade your present equipment to be more energy efficient, there are some ratings to know that will help you during the procedure. So what exactly do those energy efficiency ratings represent?

SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency) SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating takes into consideration the competence of your unit at different temperatures, or rather, seasonally in Bishop. A larger SEER rating signifies a larger energy efficiency, which will translate into lower utility bills. The Department of Energy requires a minimum 13 SEER-rating for chillier states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for humid, southern states. If your home has an aged unit with a lower SEER-rating, you could see radical energy savings after an modern system.

AFUE or HSPF (used to measure heating efficiency: gas or electric) AFUE stands for Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio and it keeps track of the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel expended. You can think of it as the MPG on your car. The greater the AFUE-rating, the less your energy costs. If your furnace has a AFUE rating of 80, that means that 80% of the heat generated is exhausted to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is misplaced through venting.

HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and works to measure the heating efficiency of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for the colder months as it only measures your unit’s heating productivity. Similarly, the higher the number, the more energy efficient the heat pump.

Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning in Bishop offers equipment with the greatest energy efficiency ratings. If you are uncertain what the energy ratings are of the system in your home we would be glad to help you better understand to keep your home content, while saving money. Give us a call at 760-784-9034 to arrange for an appointment with us.

Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning offers dependable, quality service to homeowners in the Bishop community. Our experienced technicians are well-trained and knowledgeable on all HVAC products, so you’ll be confident knowing you can trust us. The team at Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning adheres to high standards and are devoted to offering the best customer service, whether you’re searching for a new HVAC system or need maintenance on your current system. If you have questions or need support for your HVAC system, you can reach us at 760-784-9034 or schedule an appointment online to get started on your home comfort needs!